PE - Paper 2

Sports psychology - information processing

Information processing

Making decisions. Gathering data from the display (senses), prioritising the most important stimuli to make a suitable decision.

Input

The information received from the display (your senses) via selective attention.

Feedback

A review (information) of your response this can be intrinsic and/or extrinsic.

Decision making

The selection of an appropriate response using the information ‘input’ and that stored in the long term memory.

Output

Information you send to your muscles to carry out the response.

Feedback

Information a performer receives about their performance. Feedback can be given during and/or after performance.

Intrinsic feedback

Feedback from within the performer.

Extrinsic feedback

Received from outside of the performer, eg from a coach.

Knowledge of results

Focuses on whether your performance got the result you wanted.

Knowledge of performance

Focuses on the way you carried out a skill or technique.

Guidance

Method to convey information to a performer. (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical)

Positive feedback

Feedback about what was good in your performance, e.g. you accelerated out of the blocks well.

Negative feedback

Feedback about what was bad in your performance, e.g. you did not dip your chest at the finish line.

Outcome goal

Focus on end result/winning.

Performance goal

Personal standards to be achieved. Performers compare themselves against what they have already done or suggest what they are going to do. There is no comparison with other performers.

SMART goal

A method to increase motivation and reduce anxiety. (Specific, measurable, accepted, realistic, time bound)

Motivation

The drive to succeed or the desire (want) to achieve something/to be inspired to do something.

Intrinsic motivation

The drive that comes from within (e.g. for pride, satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, self-worth)

Extrinsic motivation

The drive to perform well or win which comes from external sources rather than within. It involves being motivated by rewards such as praise, medals, money, or trophies. Extrinsic motivators can be Tangible (e.g., certificates, trophies) or Intangible (e.g., applause, praise). 

Direct aggression

Aggressive act which involves physical contact with others, eg a punch.

Indirect aggression

Aggression which does not involve physical contact. The aggression is taken out on an object to gain advantage, eg hitting a tennis ball hard during a rally.

Extrovert personality

Sociable, active, talkative, out-going personality type usually associated with team sports players.

Introvert personality

A quiet, passive, reserved, shy personality type, usually associated with individual sports performance.

Positive self-talk

A mental/cognitive technique whereby the performer talks to him/herself in their head to reassure themselves.

Mental rehearsal/ visualisation/ imagery

A mental technique involving the performer picturing themselves performing the skill perfectly before attempting it. It involves control of mental thoughts and imagining positive outcomes.

Deep breathing

A physical/somatic technique which involves the performer exaggerating their breaths in and out.

Stress management techniques

Deep breathing, positive self-talk, visualisation / imagery, mental rehearsal.

Arousal

A physical and mental state of alertness/ readiness, varying from deep sleep to intense excitement/ alertness.

Externally paced skill

A skill which is started because of an external factor. The external factors control the speed and pace of the skill.

Self paced skill

A skill which is started when the performer decides to start it. The performer also controls the speed and pace of the skill.

Open skill

A skill which is performed in a certain way to deal with a changing or unstable environment, eg to outwit and opponent.

Closed skill

A skill which is not affected by the environment or performers within it. The skill tends to be done the same way each time.

Basic skill

A skill which is simple, usually taught to beginners and does not require much information to be processed.

Complex skill

A skill which is difficult to learn, is usually taught to experienced performers and requires a lot of information to be processed.

Gross skill

A skill which uses big strong powerful movements and involve large muscle groups.

Fine skills

A skill which uses small, precise movements showing precision and accuracy and involves small muscle groups.

Ability

Inherited, stable traits that determine an individual’s potential to learn or acquire a skill.

Skill

Learned action/learned behaviour with the intention of bringing about predetermined results, with maximum certainty and minimum outlay of time and energy.